31
South Alabama’s Unacceptable NIT Snub Ends Their Historic Season
Head Coach Richie Riley Fights Back Against the Controversial Invitation Rescission
Mar 17, 2025, 03:31 PM ET
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Read the latest developments | The end of the 2025 South Alabama Jaguars Basketball season has arrived in a manner that coach Richie Riley has critically defined as “unacceptable.” Riley, speaking to AL.com, detailed a string of chaotic events that led to the team’s National Invitation Tournament (NIT) invitation being abruptly retracted. |
| Initial Invitation | Riley disclosed that he was informed late Sunday evening that his team was invited to the NIT following University of California, Riverside’s (UC Riverside) withdrawal, citing a prior commitment to play in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI). |
| Unexpected Twist | Shortly after informing his team about the NIT invitation, Riley learned that UC Riverside had managed to extricate itself from the CBI commitment and accepted the NIT bid, effectively disqualifying South Alabama from the tournament. This chain of events left teammates and players emotionally stunned, disrupting their plans in a cruel twist. |
| Riley’s Expression of Discontent |
South Alabama Jaguars boss, Richie Riley, shared his exasperation with AL.com. “… I tell [Sun Belt Conference commissioner Keith Gill and NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt], ‘I’m going to tell my guys.’ They’re like, ‘Go ahead.’ So I tell the team, Gill and Gavitt call me back, whatever time it was, 10:45, 11 o’clock. Dan’s like, ‘No, UC Riverside is back in. I hate that we had to do this.’ How did this happen?” said Riley. South Alabama were tagged unfairly. Between The Lines: As the coach of a phenomenally resilient Jaguars squad, Richie Riley has every right to be irate with the irregular handling of the invitation. Despite leading his team to a commendable 21-11 finish with a conference final, the Jaguars deserved an evenly more respectful processing of events, “This is unacceptable. You can’t do that.” and heading disappointmng end of a well played seasons.advocate for fairness. |
| Our Take For sports enthusiasts |
Our TakeThe instant unwelcome was dealable blow, stunning the Jaguras for many they acquired. If you want to read the entire takehead and speak up, contact us below with your testmonial. |